Illuminatable vanity case and like container



March 23, 1943. J. G. Pucca ILLUMINATABLE VANITY CASEf AND LIKE CONTAINER Filed March 2v, 1940 Patented Mar. 23, 1943 ILLUMINATABLE VANITY CASE AND LIKE CONTAINER Y John Giacomo Pucci, Westerly, R. I.

Application March 27, 1940. Serial No. 326,245 i (Cl. 24U-6.45)

2 claims.

My invention relates to improvements in containers having a light therein, particularly in the type ofla container adapted to be carri'edin 'a small bag, hand, or pocket, such as a vanity case, cigarette case, etc. v,

An object of my invention isv to provide a device which is a container for small objects, such as cosmetics, cigarettes, etc., and which at the same time may be used as a iiashlight.

A further object of my invention is to provide a container having a light so mounted therein, preferably countersunk in the cover thereof so as to concentrate a beam of light on a desired area by relative movement of the cover in which the light is mounted relative to the base of the container, it being apparent that if the cover be also provided with a mirror a person adjacent the device can look in the mirror and see a reilection of an object on which the beam of light v is concentrated. This is particularly desirable in the case of the application of cosmetics. such as lipstick when the user of the vanity case can the specic lstructure of the various partsv thereof,

which are readily and simply fabricated and y mostly comprise standard electrical and other parts now on lthe market.

These and such other objects of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of embodiments thereof such as illustrated by the accompanying drawrelatively pivot the cover to concentrate the beam of light on her lips and then look in the mirror to insure the correct application of the lipstick in the dark.

'A further object of my invention 'is to provide suitable means to shut off the light when it is not needed in the dark or in the light.

A further feature of my invention is to provide a device which may be so used and winch may, if desired,be independently used as a flashlight.

While there have been various attempts to mount lights in vanity cases in the prior art, so far as the applicant is aware these lights have been mounted to project either vertically outwards `or longitudinally upwards of the vanity case. The applicant has discovered that if such a lightbc mountedrto extend transversely of a light holding compartment, that such a manner of mounting permits the cover of the container to be made much thinner than hitherto. so that the container of itself may have a thickness approaching that of a standard vanity case or a cigarette case.

A further object of my invention is to provide means automatically operated by the opening and closing of the light holdingcompartment cover to respectively light and -shut off the light.

A further object of my invention is to provide a construction wherein the cover of the light holding compartment may, if desired, be supplementally pivoted to shut off any light from the users eyes.

A further feature of my invention relates to ksimilar tok Fig. 1 with the cover pivoted open relative to the base and with the vlight holding compartment cover pivoted to open position.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation looking towards the cover in open position as shownin Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary longitudinal vertical o sectional view similar to Fig. 1 showing an alternative embodiment of my invention wherein the light holding compartment projects beyond the end of the vanity case so as to have its cover open independentlyof the relative closed and open positions of the vanity case for the independent use of the device as a flashlight.

In the drawing, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, I0 generally indicates a vanity case constructed in ac cordance with my invention, although it is apparent that certain features of my invention are applicable to other types of containers preferably those of a size to be normally carried in the bag, pocket or hand of the user such as a cigarette case, key case, etc. Said container i0 comprises the usual base I2 a'nd the usual cover I4 pivotally mounted on said base. Said cover is provided as usual, with the end walls I6 and the side walls I8. I provide a partition 20 extending transl versely between the side walls I8 adjacent the free end of said cover and at a closely spaced distance from the upper end thereof when in open position, forming an upper light holding compartment 22. It is obvious that an additional compartment 24 for holding a storage battery is vthus provided below said partition 20 which may if desired, also be used for other purposes. If desired, this lower compartment may be subdivided by a partition 25 extending longitudinally from substantially the center of said partition thereof, in the embodiment shown, to the left of said partition 25 over which the light holding socket is preferably mounted and another compartment portion 21 which may be used for holding additional objects, such as a lipstick, money, cigarettes, etc. In the embodiment shown the base I2 is adapted to hold cosmetics and is provided with a suitable cosmetic dispensing surface I5 of any suitable nature known in the art. A suitable storage battery 28 is contained in the battery holding compartment 2l, preferably of the standard type having the split contact arms 2l and 2! projecting upwardly therefrom, the battery holding portion of the lower compartment 2l in said cover Il being of a size to compactly hold a suitable storage battery without rattling.

An electric light is suitably mounted in said light. holding compartment 22, preferably in the manner to be explained, to extend transversely of said upper light holding compartment 22. As stated hitherto. lights have been mounted to extend longitudinally of a cover of a vanity case or to project vertically outwardly from said cover, but so far as the applicant is aware none have been mounted transversely of a light holding compartment in the cover. This is possibly the stalled in vanity cases. as such a mounting inherently makes the walls of the cover so thick .as to provide an unsightly container. Employing my invention, however. it is possible to .suitably countersink the light within the compartment 22 in the cover and still maintain the walls of the container of such an attractive thinness as to provide an article having a marketable appeal.

While any suitable type of means 22 may be provided to suitably mount the electric light 30 preferably transversely within said compartment 22. I preferably provide a split electric light base holdina` socket or clip 22 mounted on said transverse partition 20 within lsaid light holding compartment with the split end 3l thereof outermost so that the hase 38 of said electric light ll may be removably mounted thereon and I also provide a suitable type of switch/means 39 to connect said battery 26 to said light 30 preferably comprising a spring make and break switch.

In the embodiment shown. I preferably provide a cover 38 for said lightv holding compartment 22 pivotally mounted on the upper extremity of the top wall I8 of said cover Il to be movable from an open position permitting a concentration of light to be reflected outwardly from said compartment 22 to a closed position shutting oil' said light. It is obvious that suitable latch means (not shown) are provided to latch the cover I4 to the base I2 and to latch the compartment cover 38 in a closed position over said light holding compartment 22, the mirror base Il to partition 20 and the cosmetic dispensing tudinally beyond the end of the base I2 and it is apparent that with this specific construction that the light holding compartment cover 38 may be independently opened to have my improved device function as a ashlight, even if the main con. tainer thereof be closed.

I In the embodiments shown, the light hase holding socket l2 is preferably constructed out of resilient ilat stock having the base Il thereof overlying said transverse partition 2l and an integral preferably U-shaped split socket portion I2 mounted on said base within said compartment 22 with the split open U-end Il thereof outermost. The base 36 of the electric light 3| is then detachably secured within said split socket l2 so that the light Il may extend transversely of `reason why lights have not been commonly insaid compartment 22 when the base l0 thereof is detachably secured within said split socket I2. Suitable means are provided on the interiorof the socket 42 to threadedly secure the base 26 therein such as the projection l2 projecting radially inwardly thereof shown to mesh with the usual external threads 45 on the base.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the switch means 39 to connect the battery 2l to the light 3l preferably compl'ises a spring make and break switch connecting said battery and light, preferably so constructed as to function to turn o! the light on closing of the compartment cover 38. In the preferred embodiment shown, said spring make and break switch l! is preferably constructed as follows: A contact means such as' the screws, or rivets M extend through said partition 2l to mount said socket base 4I on said partition 2l and to contact a battery contact such as the switch arm 2l, the socket base ll being suitably insulated from the partition by the insulating strips 41. The spring make and break switch 29 connecting said battery and light also includes a 'stationary arm Il, which is suitably insulatedly mounted on the portion of said socket 42 below said split Il. Said stationary arm 4l is then bent. outwardlyas at 5l to contact the contact 52 on thelight base 2l and then extends transversely near the open end of said light holding compartment 22. Said make and break switch also includes a spring arm 5l having a base Il ',overlying said partition 2l and having a bent cover to base I2 and also if desired, spring means (not shown) to swing the respective covers open when the respective latches are released, as are commonly used in vanity cases. A cover may also be providedy over battery 26, if desired. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4 the cover I4 is made the same length as lthe base I2 so that the compartment cover 38 can only be opened when the cover Il is relatively moved away from said base. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, I have provided a construction wherein the cover I4' is longer than its relative 'base I2 so that s the light holding compartment 22 projects longiportion Il normally urged by the resiliency of said arm to have a portion 62 thereof project beyond the o'pen end of said light holding compartment 22 and terminating in an end 6I to contact the contact end 5I of said stationary contact arm I2 to light the light 3l. It is thus obvious that this type of switch is controlled by the opening and closing of the light holding compartment cover 38 when said cover is opened, said portion I2 normally projecting beyond the open end of said compartment 22 and the contact end Il thereof contacting the stationary contact 54 to light the light. It is apparent. however, that when said cover is closed, it abuts said pdrtionl2 normally projecting beyond the open end of said compartment 22 to depress it and to free the contact Il thereof from the stationary contact 5I to positively extinguish the light 3l when the cover 38 or I8' is closed. It is apparent, however. that any suitable type of make and break contact switch may be employed, preferably one controlled by the opening and closing of the light holding compartment cover 22. To complete the circuit from said spring arm Si to the battery 2l, a contact member or means such as the screws or rivets 6I extend through said partition 20 to mount the base Il of saidspring arm on said partition 2l and to conportion of said cover I4 or I4' below said partition.

20, namely, the battery holding compartment 24 which is preferably independently movable from over said compartment for replacement of a battery if desired. In the embodiment shown, said mirror 'Ill is preferably pivotally mounted, if desired, as shown, on the same pivotpin 12 as that on which the cover I4 or I4 is pivotally mounted on said base I2. For this purpose the base 'I4 on which the mirror 'I0 is mounted has a suitable ear 16 for the independent pivotal mounting of said mirror 'I0 onI said pin' 12.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the cover I4 may be pivoted relative to said base I2 to such an open position in such a manner as to converge the light from said light 30 within said compartment 22 on a desired area, such as a portion of the person to which the cosmetic is to be applied, as the lips ofsaid person if it desires to apply lipstick thereto. It is then apparent that the lighted lips may be readily observed by said user in' the mirror 10 so that said person may apply the lipstick thereto as eilciently in the dark as it could in the daylight and so that therel will be no glare in the users eyes. If desired, the light holding compartment cover 38 or 38' may be relatively pivoted to additionally shut oi the beam from the eyes. It is apparent that this provides a very convenient structure, for the entire device can be held in one hand and the cosmetic readily applied by the applicator from said base I2 held in one hand while the other hand is holding the cover I4 or I4' open in the desired relative manner to concentrate the light on the desired area to which the cosmetic is to be applied.

It is also apparent that if desired the device may be independently used as a flashlight on opening of the compartment cover 38, particularly a device constructed as in the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, wherein the compartment cover 3l thereof may be opened independently of the container cover I4'. It is thus apparent that by mounting the light transversely of the container I am enabled to provide acontainer of such small thickness as to make its use applicable to thin articles ,of personal use, such as vanity cases and cigarette cases, etc.

It is also apparent that I have provided in a container a novel type of means to concentrate the light from a. light Source countersunk therein on a desired area so thatthe desired area may contact arm insulatedly mounted on said socket.

holding socket havingthe base thereof overlying said transverse partition and a split socket mounted on said base within said compartment with the split end'uppermost, an electric light extending transversely of said compartment with the base thereof detachably secured within said split socket, a contact member extending through said partition to mount saidl socket base on said partition and' contact a battery contact, a spring make and break switch operatively connecting said battery and light comprising a stationary contacting the light base contact and terminating in a contact end extending transversely near the top of said light holding compartment, a spring contact arm having a base overlying said partition, a bent portion normally urged by the resiliency of said arm to have the top of said bent portion project beyond the top of said light holding compartment and a transversely extending end contacting said stationary contact arm to light the light, a cover for said light holding compartment pivotally. mounted on said cover movable to a compartment closing position 'abutting said bent portion of the contact arm to break the contacts on said make and break switch to extinguishsaid light when said cover is closed, a contact member extending through said partition to mount the base of said spring contact arm on said transverse partition and contact the other battery contact and a mirror normally overlying the lower portion of said cover, whereby said cover may be relatively pivoted to a position to bring the light opposite the portion of the person to which the cosmetic is to be applied and said portion may be readily observable in the mirror. i

2. In a vanity case, a cosmetic dispensing base, a cover pivotally mounted on saidA basel having end and side walls, having a partition extending transversely between the side walls thereof at a closely spaced distance from the upper end therebe viewed in the darkin the mirror and with the other advantages hitherto described above.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. In a vanity case, a cosmetic dispensing base,

a cover pivotally mounted on said base havingl light holding compartment and a lower battery holding compartment, a battery having contacts at the upper end thereof contained in said battery holding compartment, a split electric light 'base holding socket comprising resilient flat stock having the base thereof mounted on said transverse partition and a substantially U-shaped split socket mounted on said base within said compartment with the split open U-end uppermost, an electric light extending transversely of said compartment with the base thereof detachably secured 'within said split socket, a springmake and break switchconnecting said battery and light having a bent portion normally urged by the resiliency thereof to have the end of said bent portion project beyond the top of said light holding Acompartment to light the light, a cover for said light holding compartment pivotally mounted on said cover movable to a compartment closing position abutting said projecting spring portion to extinguish said light when said cover is closed and a mirror normally overlying the lower portion of said cover,4 whereby said cover may be relatively pivoted to a position to bring the light opposite the portion of the person to which the cosmetic is to be applied and -said portion may be readily observable in the mirror.

JOI-IN GIACOMO PUCCI. 

